CHARGERS NOTES: Mental mistakes haunt Chargers against Pats

SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers have five losses this season, and have
had double-digit halftime deficits in each one.

The hole has been dug different each time, and Sunday's was
downright laughable against the New England Patriots. The Chargers
turned the ball over four times in the first half, twice with oddly
lost fumbles on consecutive drives in which they didn't play
through the whistle.

"You're not going to win making those mistakes," Chargers coach
Norv Turner said after his team's 23-20 loss.

The worst came from rookie receiver Richard Goodman, who simply
gave away his first catch as a professional. He fell to the ground
untouched after a 25-yard catch, set the ball down and walked back
to the huddle.

"I thought he was going to run for another 20 yards," Turner
said.

The ball was live because he wasn't tackled, and the Patriots
recovered.

"That was crazy. I thought the safety made contact with the way
he rolled over me," Goodman said. "... We talked all week about
protecting the ball, so the last thing I would do is catch the ball
and let the ball sit on the field. No matter what happens, I need
to give that ball back to the official. I'll be the first one to
admit it was my fault. I have to learn from my mistakes."

Fullback Jacob Hester made the mistake of assuming Philip Rivers
threw him a forward pass on the Chargers' next possession. It
sailed just out of Hester's reach, and the fullback didn't rushed
toward the live ball. Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich picked it
up and returned it 63 yards to the Chargers' 8-yard line.

"I didn't think there was any chance that was a backwards pass,"
Hester said. "There were a lot of plays we wish we had back, and
that's certainly one. You have to finish plays. We didn't do that
enough in the first half and set ourselves back."

Goodman's redemption

After making a costly mistake as a receiver, Goodman made one of
the few positive special teams plays of the season. He recovered an
onside kick that gave the Chargers a chance to erase a 17-point
fourth-quarter lead.

The play came with the Chargers down 23-13 with 7 minutes, 21
seconds remaining. An onside kick was inevitable, so special teams
coach Steve Crosby moved Goodman into position to grab the ball
once it went 10 yards. A line of Chargers created space with blocks
and Goodman flew in and secured possession that turned into another
Bolts touchdown.

"We needed a critical play," Goodman said. "We needed guys to
make tough blocks and push guys back just like we needed a guy to
go get that ball. Coach had confidence to switch my position on the
kickoff team and allow me to make that play. I'm glad I was able to
rush in there and snag it."

Productive pass rush

Tom Brady is a tough guy to blitz. The Patriots quarterback
identifies defenses well, gets rid of the ball quickly and doesn't
have a problem checking down for a short gain. He was only sacked
eight times in five games, but was under significant duress against
the Chargers.

The Chargers had four sacks Sunday and pressured him several
more times throughout the game.

Outside linebacker Antwan Barnes had two sacks, already
producing after being signed on Oct. 13. He's playing primarily on
passing downs from Shawne Merriman's old post, sharing time with
Antwan Applewhite. Shaun Phillips and Antonio Garay also recorded
sacks.

"We never deviated from the game plan, and we were able to go
out there and execute," Phillips said. "We cause some disruption,
but he's a talented player and they still got the win. That's all
that matters."

Boo-birds come out

The Chargers played at home, but Qualcomm Stadium could have
been considered a hostile environment at times. Fans started booing
the Chargers with five minutes remaining in the first half and
voiced displeasure on several occasions, especially after the
second quarter concluded with the Patriots ahead 10-3.

The Chargers played without starting receivers Malcom Floyd and
Legedu Naanee, both of whom were sidelined with hamstring injuries.
Rivers compensated by spreading the ball around, distributing 336
passing yards to 10 different receivers.

Patrick Crayton and Buster Davis were the primary targets, and
they combined for 13 catches and 135 yards. While the Patriots
devoted extra coverage to tight end Antonio Gates -- who played
despite an injured toe -- with the starting receivers out, Rivers
doesn't believe the personnel effected the offense.

"It would've been great to have them," Rivers said. "But at the
same time, not having them wasn't the reason why we didn't go score
more points."